Steering-wheel lock



L. C. VANDERLIP.

STEERING WHEEL LOCK- APPLICATION mzn' KS. 1920,

Patented Nov. 23, 1920.

36 23 U1. 7 R NJ. 2 2 0 I m 5 3 N I 24w 7. I/J I V N6 I 1. H m 3 o I h l 2 n u u ML M 63 4 1 HL 2 M 9 I 5 l 2 2. 7 5 1 I3 7 I, M 7 n/M 3 J a a u N m UNITED STATES LOUIS C. VANDERLIP, OF ELKHART. IIlil'lIlIAIif.

STEERING-WHEEL LOCK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 23. 1920.

Application filed April 9, 1920 Serial No. 872,577.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, Lotus t. Yamamuar, a citizen of the. l -nitcd h'tates, residing in the city of Elkhart, countvof lllkhart, In 'diana. have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steering-Wheel Locks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to locking devices to prevent theft or unauthorized use or operation of automobiles, and especially to means for lockingthe steering wheel there of iii-either operative or inoperative position.

An object of my invention is the productionof a steering wheel locking device which is applicable to motor cars of the Ford type in which planetary gearing is used in the steering head.

Another object of the invention is the production of a device of the character described in'which the center or driving pinion of the planetary gear remains in constant. mesh, and in which a movable clutch is in- "QUI'POl'tllQll for operati rely connecting or disconnecting the steering wheel and steering gear.

A tlnrd ob ect Is the production of a steering wheel locking device. which is readily apilicablc tocars now in use. Still another object of the invention is the production of a device of the character described in which a shifting clutch is used to connect or disconnect the steeringwheel with the driving pinion of the planetary gearing in which the driving pinion of the planetary gearing remains in constant mesh therewith and in which the endwise shift of the steering wheel itself is eliminated. Other objects of my invention are nmntioned and described herein.

The preferred "embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of the invention showing the clutch member uncoupled; Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the top casing member including the wheel shaft, the drive pinion and shaft. and the clutch, the latter being in the coupling position; Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 oiliig. 1; Fig. 4 is a side view of the clutch member; Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the same member; Fig. 6 is a view showing the connection between the wheel shait-andthe pinion stub shaft for maintaining the axial relation between them: and Fig. 7 is a 'fragmentin section showing the means for locking the top casmg against removal from the lower casing.

Similar numerals of reference indicate like" members throughout the several views on the drawing.

Referring to the drawing in detail the numeral 1 indicatesthe top end of a steering post of a Ford motor car, said post being ro t-atively mounted within the usual tubular steering eolulnn 2 and provided with the head 3 which is arranged within the cylindrical housing or lower casing 4 which is carried by the steering column. Numerals 5, 5 indicate the usual gears of the planetary gearing mounted uponthe post head 3 in the usual, or any suitableglnunner which gears mesh with the annular rack G l ormed on the inner periphery of the casing 4.

The numeral 7 indicates the center or drive )inion of the planetary which meshes 'with a l of the pinions 5, 5, and which is carried by a stubshaft. 8 journaled in the top end of the post 1. The outer periphery of the housing 4 is screw t nded at 9 to carry the threaded top casing-ale. ibcr 10, the latter of which may have the extension 11 which is rovided with the cylindrical chamher 12. he numeral 13 indicates a squared or polygonal stub shaft rigid with the upper periphery of the pinion T projecting upward therefrom into the chamber 12, and disposed axially of the pinion shaft-'8, said stub shaft lming adapted to. carry the sliding clutch member 14, as hereinafter described.

The top end of the stub shaft 13 may termiuate intermediate the top and bottom of the chamber 12 and may be )rovided with an axially formed bore 16 in t no end thereof in which bore the cylindrical reduced lower end 17 of the shui't 18 is journalcd, said shaft 18 projecting to the exterior of the casing 10 through the bearing aperture 19 to enable themounting of the usual steering wheel-not shownthoreon, as is well known in the art. The wheel shaft 18 may have a rigid collar or annular flange 20 engaging the under side of the top wall 15 of the chamber 12 to prevent upward lengthwise movement of said shaft, and it may be provided also with a squared or polygonal clutch shaft portion 21 which corresponds in formation with the polygonal stubshaft 13 and which is arranged within the chamber 12 with its lower end disposed adjacent the on the shaft 13, when inoperative,. and 1s adapted to be upwardly moved onsaid shaft whereby the steering 13 into engagement with-the wheel shaft portion 21, asshown in Fig; 2, for coupling the two shaftstogether, sue V bei "the operative or driving position of -t e clutch,

V connected-with the w eel 'shaft 18;" The,

numeral 23 indicates an endlesscircumferential groove formed 'in'the outer periphery of. the 'e'lutch'14; said clutch rotativel rality of handlesor lifter pins-27, 27 rigidly connected therewith f by screw threads, or 4 the clutch 14, in which' position they may be arranged within -the"bo re 24*0 the clute lifter collar'25 and maintained-therein against longitudinal displacementxbg a pin 26 which isradially'disposedin'sai collar and projects into .the groove 23. The'clutchcollar 25 is" slidably: arran" dwithin the chamber 12 and may be provided with a pluotherwise inany suitable manner, said handles projecting through vertical slots 28, 28. formed in the casing extension 11, to the cas ing exterior, whichhandles are adapted to enable manual actuationof 'the clutch collar 25, and thereby-actuation of the clutch '14,

for alternately coupling 1 and-uncoupling the stub-shaft 13- and the wheel shaft 18.

. In Fig. 20f the drawing the members 18 and 13-. are operativelycoupled together by releasably locked bya swinging arm 29 carried by the tumblerlock 30, whiehloc-k is of said arm engaging in a slot 31 formed in the outer periphry'ofthe collar 25,-saidarm being operative through 'an aperture 32 formed in the-wall o-f'the chamber 12.

, When the members 2531\nd. 14 are lowered to the position shown in Fig. 1, whichmay readily be done by disengaging the arm 29 from the collar slot 3L'said arm-may then be swung into engagement with the upper face 33 of said. clutch lifter collar, thereby forming an abutment thereto, and whereby upward movement of the clutch 14 cannot be :elfected by an unauthorized-person, or one having no, key to the lock 30 I V In devices of this character it' is important that the upper casing 10 be locked against removal from the lower casing 4' upon which it is screwed. In Fig. 7 of the drawing I show a casing locking device wherein the numeral 34} indicates an' arm projecting laterally from 'theclutch collar 25, to which itmay be rigidly fastened by a =screw' -35. The locking'arm "34 ninyflpro- 1 ject-latera into "a c'asir'rg "chamber "36 formed in member 10 and in which it is adapted to move upward and downward as i st l is operatively' assess;

. Fig. 1 of the drawin In Fig. 7'the arm 34 is -elevated with t e collar 25 and the rong 37 is disenga d from the recess 38, hut as this is the riving position of the clutch 14 it is not im ortant that said prong is thus disengaged tom the recess 38, for the car owner is then su posed to be in control of the steering mec anism which could be operated as wel by an unauthorized person if found'in that condition without at- --tempting to or. the necessity of unscrewing the top casin 11.

.But when t e car owner desires to lock it against use b unauthorized persons he dro s the clutc 14 to the'position indicated in igj 1 of the drawing and locks it by'thearm '29 of the lock 30, whereby the casing locking arm prong 37 is automatically engaged in the recess 38, whereby rotation of the casing top 10 is effectually prevented.

I claim:

1. In a steerin device for vehicles, a steering wheel s aflt; a steering post; vdriven gears for actuating the steering post; a drive gear in constant mesh with the driven; Jars; a stub shaft carried by said drive g'e'ar and arranged axially of said wheel shaft; movable coupling means mounted to move longitudinally with usspectto the axis of said post and independently of said shafts, said coupling means being adapted to alternately cou 1e and uncouple said wheel and stub shai'ls, whereby, when said shafts are coupled together, rotation of said wheel shaft will effect rotation of said steering post, and whereby, when said shafts are uncoupled, rotation of said wheel shaft will not effect rotation of said steering post; and means for releasably locking said coupling means in an uncoupled position.

2. In a steering device for vehicles, a steering wheel shaft; a steering post; driven ears for actuating the steering post; a

rive gear in constant mesh with the driven gears: a stub shaft carried bv said drive gear and arranged axially of said wheel shaft: movable coupling means mounted to move longitudinally with respect to the axis of said post and independently of said shafts, said coupling means being adapted to alternately couple and uncouple said wheel and stub shafts, whereby, when said shafts are coupled together. rotation of said wheel shaft will effect rotation of said steering post, and whereby, when said shafts are uncoupled. rotation of said wheel shaft will not effect rotation of said steering post; means for actuating said coupling means; and

steering wheel shaft; a steering post: d iven gears 'for aetuatiug the steering post: a drive gcar in' constant mesh with the driven geal'sz a stub shaft carried by said drive. gearfa ul arranged axially of said wheel sha l'tfiamovahle coupler member carried by one'ilfsmid shafts and adapted to move longitudinally with respectto theaxis of said pos ai'hl -inde u ndentl v of said shaft. said coulilei member being adapted to alter' natelfv itouple and um-ouple said wheel and stuli i ln fts. whereby. when said shafts are doupleittogether. rotation of said wheel shaft will' effect. rotation of said steering pos A ml whereby. when said shafts are un coupled; rotation of said wheel shaft will not etlect i-(itatiori of said steering post: means miuntfett-d \vi'tli'said coupler member for the at-ulati'mi thereof. and means for releasably locking said coupler member in an unou filed "position.

-l.=f ln iwsteering device for vehicles. a steei'ing'whcel shaft: a steering post: :1 casingfdriven gears within the casing for acmating the steering post: a drive gear in eondtant mesh with the driven gears: a stub shaft earried by said drive gear and arran ed axially of said wheel shaft: movable uoup'lin'g means within the casing and mflllli'fl tl" to move longitudinally with respeet' tfo the axis of said post and independ- (Tit-li fs'lid shafts. said coupling means being 3ft mated to alternately couple and uncou lle'said wheel and stub shafts. whereby. (Vliensaid shafts are coupled together. rotation of said wheel shaft will effect rotation 'h'i' said steering post. and whereby. wl'teni s'aid shafts are uncoupled. rotation of said whml shaft will not effect rotation of said"st"twring post: means arranged within said 'ca'sing for actuating said coupling meansmneans connected with said last menti'diidd'means and accessible from the exterior (if-thecasing for the actuation thereof, and means for releasably locking said couplingmeii'ns.

l l. I l ltl steering device for vehicles. a steering wheel shaft: a steering post: :1 casing: driven gears within the easing for ar tuatingthe steering post: a drive gear in constant mesh with the driven gears; coupling means carried by said drive gear;

movable coupling means mounted tomove longitudinally with respect to the axis of said post and independently of said wheel shaft and said drive gear, said coupling means being adapted to alternately couple and uncouple said wheel shaft and said drive gear, whereby when said shaft and gear are coupled together. rotation of said wheel shaft will effect rotation of said steering post, and wherebv. when said shaft and gear are uncoupled, rotation of said shaft will not effect rotation of said steering post; means for actuating said coupling means; and means for releasably locking said coupling means in an uncoupled position.

a. In a steering device for vehicles, a steering wheel shaft: a steering post; a casing; driven gears within the casing for actuating the steering post: a drive gear in constant mesh with the driven gears; coupling means carried by said drive gear: movable coupling means mounted to move longitudinally with respect to the axis of said post and in dependently of said wheel shaft and said drive gear, said coupling means being adapted to alternately couple and unoonple. said wheel shaft and said drive gear. whereby whensaid shaft and drive gear are coupled -together. rotation of said wheel shaft will effect rotation of said steering post. and whereby. when said wheel shaft and drive gear are uncoupled. rotation of said wheel shaft will not effect rotation of said steering post: means movable with said coupling means for actuating the letter; means eonnccting said couplingineans with its aetuat ing means to enable independent rotation of said coupling means: and means for relcas abl v locking said coupling means.

7. In a steering device for vehicles, a steering wheel shaft: a steering post: driven gears for actuating the steering post: a drive gear in constant mesh with the driven gears: coupling means carried by said drive gear: movable manually operative coupling 'means mounted to move longitudinally with respect to the axis of said post and independently of said wheel shaft and said drive gear. Miltl coupling means being adapted to alternately couple and nucouple said wheel shaft and drive gear. whereby. when said shaft and drive gear are coupled together. rotation of said shaft will etlr'cct rotation of said steering po t. and whereby. when said shaft and drive gear are uncoupled. rotation of said wheel shaft will not etl'ect rotation of said steering post: and means for releasably locking said coupling means in an uncoupled position.

8. In a steering device for vehicles. a steering wheel shaft; a steering post: driven gears for actuating the steering post; a drive gear in constant mesh with the driven gears: a stub shaft carried by the drive gear and arranged axially of the wheel shaft: a conpler member slidabiy mounted upon one of said shafts and adapted to alternately couple and uncouple said wheel and stub shafts: a collar encompassing said coupler member and within which said coupler is rotativcly carried, said collar being movably mounted means for actuating said collar and thereby said coupler member: and means for releas ably looking said coupler member.

9. in a steering device for eh le a steerlit) uncouple said wheel and stub shafts, whereby, when said shafts are coupled together, rotation of said wheel shaft will effect rotation of said steering post, and whereby, when saidshafts are uncoupled, rotation of said wheel shaft will not effect rotation of said steering post; and means for releasably lock-- ing said coupling member upon said stub shaft.

10. In a steering device for vehicles, a casing; a steering wheel shaft; a steering post; driven gears for actuating the steering post; a drive gear in constant mesh with the driven gears: a stub shaft carried by the drive gear and arranged axially of said wheel shaft; a coupler member slidably mounted upon said stub shaft and adapted to alternately couple and uncouple said wheel and stub shafts; a collar encompassin said coupler nember and within which sai coupler is rotatively carried, said collar being slidably mounted within said casing;-

means for actuating said collar and thereby said coupler member, whereby, when said wheel andstub shafts are coupled together, rotation of *said wheel shaft will effect rotation of said steering post, and whereby, when said shafts are uncoupled, rotatiouof said wheel shaft will not effect rotation of said steering post; and means for releasably locking said coupler member in coupled or uncoupled relation with said wheel shaft.

II. In a steering device for vehicles, a shaft operatively connected with the steering gear; a casing; a steering wheel shaft disposed axially of said first mentioned shaft; means for preventing endwise movement of said wheel shaft relative to the other shaft; a coupler member within said casing and in constant actuating relation with one of said shafts, said coupler member having a sliding connection with said shaft; a coupler actuating member encompassing said goupler member; a complementary pin and groove connection between said coupler and said actuating member; means for actuating said coupler actuating member; and means for releasably locking said coupler member.

12. In a steering device for vehicles, a shaft operatively connected with the steering gear; a casing; a steering wheel shaft disposed axially of said first mentioned shaft; means for preventing endwise movement of said wheel shaft relative to the other when said lifting member is actuated; an

opening in said casing; a handle connected with said lifting member and projecting into said casing opening to enable manual operation of said lifting member and thereby said coupler member; and means for releasably locking said coupler member.

13. In a steering device for vehicles, a shaft operatively connected withthe steering gear; a casing provided with a removable cap; a steering wheel shaft disposed axially of said first mentioned shaft; means for preventing endwise movement of raid wheel shaft relative to the other shaft; 9. coupler member within said casing and in constant actuating relation with one of said shafts, said coupler member having a sliding connection with said shaft; means movable with said coupler member for shifting the latter longitudinally of;. said shaft, whereby said shafts niay be alternately coupled and uncoupled; and means movable with said coupler shifting means for releasably lockin said casing cap to said casing.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature this 7th day of April, 1920.

LOUIS C. VANDERLIP. 

